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João Silva não está em 2019 a disputar o Campeonato da Madeira de Ralis Coral a tempo inteiro, “pelo que esta participação no Rali Vinho da Madeira surge de forma esporádica no sentido de festejar os 60 anos da prova e, de certa forma, aproveitar para conduzir novamente o meu Citroën DS3 R5, que tanto gozo de dá. Naturalmente queremos fazer um bom resultado, o que passa por terminar a prova e também disputar os lugares da frente como fizemos nas duas últimas edições. Alcançar o pódio será um resultado muito bom para a nossa equipa”. Com 31 anos, João Silva iniciou-se nos ralis há 12 com um Toyota Yaris. Participou em 2012 na WRC Academy e, com um Renault Clio R3, alcançou os títulos de 2 litros e 2 rodas motrizes no campeonato nacional de 2011 e madeirense em 2013. Aos comandos da sua viatura atual, foi vice-campeão regional nos dois últimos anos, obteve o seu primeiro triunfo absoluto em 2017 e já venceu desde então mais três ralis.

A Volta à Ilha da Madeira em Automóvel foi criada ainda na década de 50 juntando dois propósitos. O evento dava corpo a uma enorme paixão que os madeirenses sempre tiveram pelos automóveis e pelas estradas pois não poderá ser esquecido que durante séculos foi extremamente difícil ir além da montanha mais próxima, devido à orografia, e servia ainda como meio promocional do destino turístico. Parceria entre as entidades da altura e o CS Madeira, a prova debutou em 1959 e, ganha por José Bernardino Lampreia em MG A, constituiu assinalável êxito. Já na década em que o “ié-ié” dos Beatles chegava às discotecas pela importação direta, o rali justificou a presença dos melhores valores nacionais da altura e as populações não arredaram pé dos quintais ou “poios” para assistir à passagem de pilotos como Horácio Macedo e os seus inesquecíveis Mercedes 300SL ou Ferrari 250, António Peixinho e a verdadeira “espada” que era o Alfa Romeo Giulia, o pequeno mas brioso Austin Cooper de Manuel Gião ou as diabruras do madeirense Zeca Cunha, que conseguiu mesmo vencer em 1965 com um Triumph TR4. Em 1967 consumou-se a internacionalização da “Volta”. Jean-Pierre Nicolas, hoje figura incontornável do automobilismo mundial, foi o primeiro estrangeiro a ganhar na nossa ilha. Os Renault 8 desenvolvidos pelo mago Amedée Gordini monopolizaram as atenções e ocuparam o topo da classificação. A cobertura rodoviária da Madeira avançava ao ritmo lento da picareta e as estradas eram duma dureza pouco consentânea com a fragilidade mecânica vigente. Tais fatores conjugados determinaram que na edição de 1969, pouco depois dos americanos fincarem a bandeira na lua, apenas um carro conseguisse cortar a linha de meta. O autor da proeza foi o português Américo Nunes. Equipado dum bom e muito potente Porsche 911S, o piloto já havia ganho no ano anterior e estava ainda longe de saber que consolidaria, já na década seguinte, o título de rei das estradas madeirenses. Uma década após a sua criação, a “Volta” era já um dos acontecimentos sociais mais importantes do arquipélago.

RALI VINHO MADEIRA 2019 60 YEARS OF SUCCESS 1959/2019     In this year 2019, we have many good reasons to reminisce and celebrate. The oldest sports institution in the Region, the Club Sports Madeira, celebrates its 110th Anniversary and despite its longevity, it has always been the pioneer of great sporting achievements in Madeira.   The "Tour of Madeira Island", the precursor of the Rali Vinho da Madeira, is 60 years old, and represents 60 Race Editions. It is the oldest automobile event held annually in Portugal organised by the same club. An achievement and a status which has only been possible due to the fact that since the first edition of the "Tour of the Island" each event has been well supported and cherished by Madeirans over the years, who with their habitual generosity and the art of welcoming quickly turned the "Tour of the Island" into a well recognised and well renowned event with national and international projection. Today, with a vast and rich history and a prestigious image and   international recognition, this is the sporting event which best promotes and projects Madeira, as the a touristic destination of excellence.   The Rali Vinho da Madeira 2019 maintains the status of FIA-IRT Race and the National Championship and Coral Rally of Madeira, maintaining high standards of organisation and safety and is considered one of the best rallies on tarmac.   On the other hand, Madeira today, is an example of development, modernity and sustained economic and social growth thanks to the conquest of its political and administrative autonomy, thanks to the will, strength and determination of its people who broke with its historical isolation and insularity, celebrating this year the "600 Years of Discovery of Madeira and Porto Santo", as an Autonomous Region that affirms and prides Portugal and the European Union.   With a model of economic development based on a strong quality tourism sector, the Regional Government has been encouraging and supporting the organisation of events that are capable of promoting and projecting Madeira as a Touristic Destination of Excellence, and has been officially recognised in recent years , by the World Travel Awards (WTA), as The Best Island Destination in the World. So the Rali Vinho da Madeira is part of the Madeiran identity because it is the result of political autonomy but isalso born out of the will of our people to affirm themselves. There are generations and generations, who, from a very young age, have accompanied this great sportingevent. There is not a Madeiran who does not have a story to tell, experienced during their youth, which is linked to this Rally. No other regional event, combines so perfectly, external promotion of the island with the participation and the support of its people. It has become a popular celebration and a strong enabler of Madeira´s internal economy.   Therefore, this testimony of affection and proximity to its rally, is passed from generation to generation through families. This immaterial value of affection of the people of Madeira for their Rally, is a huge legacy, which we are obliged to preserve and continue to maintain. For this reason,  Club Sports Madeira renews its energy and works with true professionals so that every year, it can present a competition which continually renews and adapts to the new regulations of the FIA ​​/ FPAK, with a great list of competitors inquality and quantity, to  guarantee not only the competitiveness in the fight for the top places and general classification, but also, for the various other classes, which enables that there can be other challenges and other rallies within the Rali Vinho da Madeira 2019.   Each competitor creates their own Rally and has a well-defined objective in their participation in the race, which is not always noticed and applauded by the public. There are great world renown and famous drivers some of whom have inscribed their name among the winners of the famous "Tours of the island" and the European "Rally Vinho da Madeira". It remains a challenge for drivers and the public to participate or watch the Rally which unfolds itself along the beautiful, winding and flowering roads around the island.   Roads that lead them quickly from the sea level to the mountains, between valleys and mountain peaks, covered with soft tarmac.   Again this year, we will present this challenge to the many good drivers who will be on the roads of Madeira to fight for the victory in our Rally.   Madeira Sports Club would like to thank the Regional Government, the Municipalities of the Region, the Official Sponsors and all other Sponsors and Companies that have a longstanding and strong partnership with us, and all those who collaborate with the Event Organisation. Without the commitment and contribution of all, many anonymously, it would not be possible to hold the Rally on the beautiful roads of  Madeira, providing us with yet another Edition of the Rali Vinho da Madeira, the "60th Edition of the "Tour of Madeira Island ".   To all drivers, competitors, members of the organisation, collaborators, police and military forces and other security services, we renew our thanks for their availability, commitment and professionalism, which secure us with the participation, control and security of the entire organisation of this event.   Special thanks to all the media that will be present to cover the event, in particular to RTP and RTP Madeira, who will secure direct transmissions, not only for the Region but also for the Continent, the Azores and for all countries where RTP International is present, taking the images of our land and our Rally, to the Madeiran diaspora spread throughout the World. We count on all of you for the success of our Rally which is the Rali Vinho da Madeira Celebration. Take care to always watch the Rally with maximum safety. The Rally is not just a club event of the Club Sports Madeira, it belongs to the whole Island of Madeira. The President of C.S.Madeira and Organising committee,   José Paulo Fontes